Answering the door

[MolyHolyGuacamole]

Just read a post in a Facebook group that’s got me thinking. Man posted that he lives with 5 other people who were all at home, and he missed a delivery while he was in the shower. When he asked his roommates if no one heard the doorbell, they all responded that they did but as they weren’t expecting anyone, no one answered the door. He was upset and asked the group if he was wrong for expecting at least one person to answer.

I have to say a lot of the responses shocked me. Loads of people gave answers ranging from they only answer the door if they are expecting someone, to never answering the door!

One person commented that it must be an American thing (mostly Americans in the group) as they didn’t think it was commonplace at all in the UK. And I have to say I agree!

So I’m wondering now what you all do? Is it cultural? I live in London and have never thought twice about answering the door, as I usually expect it to be mail, signed for or parcel etc that can’t fit through the letter box. Sometimes I expect deliveries, but to be honest many times I order a few things and actually forget about them until they arrive! And of course there are letters that require a signature that are unexpected.

I also work in a private home, the owners get parcels delivered all the time, I can’t imagine not answering the door!

So AIBU to think that it’s the norm to not answer unless you are expecting the caller?

Bet your family and friends love you

Is it only possible to love and be loved by friends and family if the door is always unlocked and the kettle always on, like some proverb printed on a tea towel? I love my friends and family, but that doesn’t mean I expect to just turn up regardless of what else they might be doing. They have lives of their own and I’m only one part of those lives.

I only answer the door if I am expecting someone (usually a delivery). I have been burnt by door to door salesmen and chuggers before plus there’s a Kingdom Hall near my home so Jehovah's witnesses aplenty...

Seems actually risky not to answer the door. Anything could happen.

I live rurally and am disabled but try to make an effort. Half the time, they're gone or going by the time I get there! Mostly, its deliveries (I order most of my clothes online) or people who are lost.

I only answer if I'm expecting a parcel or a visitor, otherwise nope. I'm on my own with 2 DC and we have no chain on the door so I feel safer just ignoring it. Although when DH is home it does get answered

My door Is always open (especially now that it's summer) the dog will start barking as someone steps out of their car,so
I will usually pop my head out to see who it is before they can even get in the gate :)

Seems actually risky not to answer the door. Anything could happen.

Like what?

I rarely answer the door unless I am expecting delivery/visitor. Especially if it's in the morning or evening before/after I'm not properly dressed. As a woman living on my own I feel safer that way.
If I'm on the phone/cooking/eating/in shower the doorbell gets ignored. Living in flats is most often someone wanting to leave a delivery for another flat and I got fed up of being the local parcel collection point.
Sometimes I want down time and that includes not being interrupted by strangers at the door.